322 EXPERIMENT STATIOSf RECORD. IVol. 37 



Potash fertilizer salts, D. Van Stot.k iVcrslari. Lnn<lf)rinrrl:. Ondcrzoek. 

 Rijkslandbouwproefstat. [Netherlands], No. 20 (1917), pp. 35-42).— Analyses 

 and tests of 20 per cent potash salts obtained by Holland from Germany after 

 the outbreak of the European war are reported. While consisting principally 

 of sodium and potassium chlorids the 20 per cent salt contained also mixtures 

 of other materials in greater or less quantities. Some samples contained as 

 high as 50 per cent carnallite, others greater quantities of kieserite. 



Potash: An investigation into its economic sources in South Australia, 

 D. C. WiNTERnoTTOM {So. Aust. Dept. Chem. Bui. 2 (1916), pp. 7-2.9).— This 

 report deals with the natural potash resources of Australia, including sea- 

 weed, ash of land plants, wool scour, sea water, alunite, beet sugar residues, 

 and feldspar. It is concluded that " the sources which present the most promis- 

 ing possibilities seem to be the recovery from wool scouring and the develop- 

 ment of the alunite deposits." 



Simple tests for potash are described. 



Pumping potash from Nebraska lakes, R. P. Crawford (Engin. and Min. 

 Jour., lOS {1917), No. 18, pp. 777, 778, figs. 6).— This is a brief description of the 

 extraction of potash from the brines of Nebraska lakes. An analysis of salts 

 from lake water at Hoflland, Nebr., showed a content of potassium oxid of 

 27.3.5 per cent. 



Artificial zeolite as a source of potash for plants, A. I. Smirnov [Iz Rezul't. 

 Veget. Opi/tov Lab. Rabat (Rec. Trav. Lab. Agron.), Moskov. Selsk. Khoz. In.'it., 

 10 (1914), pp. 115-131, figs. 2; Izv. Moskov. Selsk. Khoz. Inst. {Ann. Inst. Agron. 

 Moscou), 22 {1916), No. 1, pp. 115-lSl, figs. 2).— Using the method of "isolated 

 nutrition" described by Prianischnlkow (E. S. R., 30, p. 215), it was found 

 that artificial zeolite prepared by the method of Gans but not in contact with 

 other nutritive substances was practically ineffective as a source of potash. 

 When, however, it was mixed with other nutritive salts excellent results were 

 obtained and a nearly normal crop was secured. Slightly better results were 

 obtained witli a mixture of phosphorite and ze<ilite than with zeolite alone in 

 the case of barley, but in the ca.se of buckwheat no advantage from the mixture 

 was observed. 



Remarks and technical tests on the preparation of superphosphates. A. 

 AiTA {Ann. Chim. Appl. [Rome], 6 {1916), No. 9-10, 11-12, pp. 195-220. figs. 7; 

 abs. in Chem. Abs., 11 (1917), No. 6, p. 6S2). — Experiments with different rock 

 phosphates, including Florida land pebble, Gafsa, and Constantine phosphates, 

 are reported, the purpose of which was to determine the best conditions for 

 treating phosphorites in order to obtain superphosphates of the greatest solu- 

 bility and of the best physical state for application to soils. A description of 

 the mechanical and chemical proce.sses involved is given. Tables show analy.sea 

 of the phosphates, weights of sulphuric acid usetl, and percentages of .soluble 

 and insoluble phosphoric acid obtained. 



It was found that for land pebble pho.sphate from 98 to lOo kg. of acid 

 (53° B.) is required per 100 kg. of the rock meal, for the Gafsa pho.'jphate 86 

 to 90 kg. of acid, and for Constantine phosphate 96 to 99 kg. of acid of 53 to 

 54* B. provided the water content of the phosphate does not exceed 4 per cent. 

 Definite results in this re.spect could not be obtained for other phosphorites. 



The water content of the superphosphate is related on one hand to the water 

 content of the mineral pho.sphate and on the other to the concentration of the 

 acid and degree of heat used during treatment. With acid of 53 to 54° B. a 

 product containing from 13 to 14 per cent of water was obtaine<l with pebble 

 phosphate, and 13 to 15 per cent water with Gafsa and Constantine phosphate. 

 With acid of 52° B. the products contained 15 to 16 per cent water for pebble 

 and 15 to 17 per cent water for Gafsa and Constantine phosphates. 



